How do you calculate the total magnification of your microscope?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
To calculate the total magnification of a microscope, you multiply the magnification of the eyepiece lens by the magnification of the objective lens.
Here’s the formula:
Total Magnification = Magnification of Eyepiece × Magnification of Objective Lens
Step-by-step explanation:
- Eyepiece Magnification: The eyepiece is the lens that you look through. It’s usually marked with a magnification factor, such as 10x or 15x. This number tells you how much the eyepiece magnifies the image. Common eyepiece magnifications are 10x (for basic microscopes) or 15x (for higher-end models).
- Objective Lens Magnification: The objective lenses are the lenses located on the revolving nosepiece. These lenses vary in magnification. Common magnifications for objective lenses are 4x (scanning), 10x (low power), 40x (high power), and 100x (oil immersion). The objective lenses are typically marked with their magnification directly on the lens.
- Multiplying the Two Magnifications: Once you know the magnification of both the eyepiece and the objective lens you’re using, you multiply them together to find the total magnification. For example, if you’re using a 10x eyepiece and a 40x objective lens, the total magnification would be: Total Magnification = 10x (eyepiece) × 40x (objective) = 400x
- Examples of Total Magnifications:
- Scanning Power (4x objective): If you use a 10x eyepiece and the 4x objective lens, the total magnification is 40x (10x × 4x).
- Low Power (10x objective): If you use a 10x eyepiece and a 10x objective lens, the total magnification is 100x (10x × 10x).
- High Power (40x objective): With a 10x eyepiece and a 40x objective lens, the total magnification is 400x (10x × 40x).
- Oil Immersion (100x objective): If you use a 10x eyepiece and a 100x objective lens, the total magnification is 1000x (10x × 100x).
This method gives you the magnification of the image as you observe it through the eyepiece. Keep in mind that the clarity of the image also depends on factors like the quality of the lenses, the type of microscope, and the condition of the slides you’re viewing.
